Four found dead after Lake Tahuyeh house fire were murdered

CENTRAL KITSAP — The three people found Friday dead inside a burning house near Lake Tahuyeh were identified Monday night as two 16-year-old boys and a 37-year-old woman.

All died from homicide, as did another person found later in Mason County inside a burned truck, who has not yet been identified.

The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office called the homicides a "quadruple murder."

The office identified the three people in the house as Christale Lynn Careaga, 37, Hunter E. Schaap, 16, and Johnathon F. Higgins, 16.

Detective Lt. Earl Smith declined to give details of the investigation, including how the four people died and where in Mason County the truck was found, but he said the body in the truck needed additional forensic examination before a positive identification could be made.

The owner of the house, John Derek Careaga, 43, was initially sought after by investigators, who were also searching for the Ford truck.

“We’re going to continue to process evidence, we’re going to continue to interview witnesses, we’re still out there, reaching out to folks, asking people to call,” Smith said. “There is just a lot of things left to do, and this is our No. 1 priority, obviously, and we are working on it full time.”

Those with information on the homicides can call Detective Lissa Gundrum at 360-337-5669. Callers can remain anonymous.

The county fire marshal also announced Monday that the fire at a house on Tenino Drive where the bodies were discovered was intentionally set. Smith said the interior of the house was burned.

Hunter E. Schaap(Photo: Contributed photo)

Likewise, the burned pickup was intentionally set on fire, Fire Marshal David Lynam said.

The incident began when a person called 911 at 11:28 on Friday and said violence was being committed in the house and then hung up. Dispatchers called the number back, but they received no answer.

On Monday, the restaurant owned by John Careaga on Kitsap Way, Juanito's Taco Shop, was closed. A memorial had been set up in front, but a man there declined to say anything and requested reporters leave the property without photographing the memorial.

Hunter Schaap, 16, a junior at North Kitsap High School had been identified earlier by the North Kitsap School District. He had attended Breidablik Elementary, Kingston Middle School and Poulsbo Middle School.

“He was an amazing person,” said Emily Shipley, a fellow NKHS student who was friends with Hunter. “He was always there for everyone and never failed to put a smile on your face. He had the kind of smile that would light up a room.”

Hunter made people feel special and loved, she said. He will be “missed by so many.”

The school is offering counseling services 7:50 a.m. Tuesday at the library and will organize further services and support as needed, according to a statement from the district.